Despite the state’s opposition, last May, the Assistant Secretary of Indian Affairs approved a tract of land (10.24 acres) in trust for the Wyandotte Nation in Park City for gaming and other purposes.This was the ruling that set wheels in motion for Tuesday’s grand opening to happen.
Kansas Attorney General Derek Schmidt warned the Wyandotte Nation that opening a casino in Sedgwick County was illegal, but the tribe moved forward with its plans. “And we were like, ‘oh, we’ll just come down today while people are working, we’ll get to go in,’ but apparently, we are going to stand in line like everyone else. That’s why we didn’t want to come last night,” said Wichita resident Hellen Lynn, among those visiting the casino for the first time Wednesday afternoon. “I didn’t expect to be in line at this time of day. On Wednesday, the casino, open 24/7, reached its current 375-person capacity by noon. Since the grand opening Tuesday night, the parking lot has been full with lines wrapping around the building. (KWCH) - After a decades-long legal battle, the Crosswinds Casino is open for business in Park City, making it the first casino to operate in Sedgwick County.
